Staff was given direction to update the wages in the current policy of $24/hour to reflect the wage inflation that the community has seen and to also allow potential employees a wage that would allow them to live in a one-bedroom apartment in Shakopee.

The average one-bedroom apartment is currently $1,425 per month.  Based on the industry standard of thirty percent of a person's income towards housing, that would put the income at $57,000 a year, or $27.40 an hour.  Staff recommends $28/hour as an average hourly wage with an annual wage of $58,240.

Staff also heard that there was an interest not to deduct the highest wage formulas out of the formula since it may discourage an employer from locating these higher wage jobs in Shakopee.  Staff recommends those changes also be made.

A policy with the recommended changes has been included.